STANDARD CE.6a,b,c,d

STANDARD CE.6a
Federal Form of Government

The student will demonstrate knowledge of the American constitutional government by:

a) explaining the relationship of state governments to the national government in the federal system.

How does the Constitution of the United States of America outline powers divided and shared among the national, state, and local levels of government?

The Constitution of the United States of America establishes the principle of federalism, which is the division of power between the states and the national government.

The Constitution of the United States of America establishes a federal form of government in which the national government is supreme.

The powers of the national government are either enumerated/expressed or implied in the Constitution of the United States of America.

The powers not given to the national government by the Constitution of the United States of America are reserved for the states.

The Constitution of the United States of America denies powers to both the national and state governments.

The powers of the local governments in Virginia are derived from the state.

Primary responsibilities of each level of government

• National—Conducts foreign policy, regulates commerce

• State—Promotes public health, safety, and welfare

STANDARD CE.6b
Structure and Powers of Federal, State and Local Governments

The student will demonstrate knowledge of the American constitutional government by:

b) describing the structure and powers of local, state, and national governments.

What are the structure and powers of government at each level?

Legislative, executive, and judicial powers are separated at the state and national levels of government.

All powers of local government in Virginia are created and controlled by the state.

The powers and responsibilities of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches at both the national and state levels are limited.

Branch of Government	Local Government	Virginia Government	National Government
Legislative	Makes ordinances for community; approves annual budget; limits power to that delegated by the state	Makes laws for Virginia; approves biennial (two-year) budget; exercises power under the 10th amendment	Makes laws for nation; approves annual budget; approves presidential appointments
Executive	Elected or appointed by the Board of Supervisors or City Council; city or county managers hired by local legislatures	Executes laws of Virginia; prepares biennial budget for General Assembly; appoints cabinet officers and boards; administers state bureaucracy; grants pardons	Executes law of the land; prepares annual budget for congressional action; appoints cabinet officers, ambassadors, and federal judges; administers federal bureaucracy
Judicial	Local courts—Hear cases under the authority provided by state legislation	Supreme Court—Has power of judicial review over state laws Circuit courts—Try civil and criminal cases	Supreme Court—Has power of judicial review Federal courts—Try cases involving federal law and U.S. Constitutional questions

STANDARD CE.6c
Separation of Powers &
Checks and Balances

The student will demonstrate knowledge of the American constitutional government by:

c) explaining the principle of separation of powers and the operation of checks and balances.

How do the separation of power and checks and balances protect against an abuse of power by any one branch of the government?

Separating power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches helps prevent any one branch from abusing its power.

A system of checks and balances gives each of the three branches of government ways to limit the powers of the other branches.

Legislative powers over

• The executive branch
     - Overrides vetoes
     - Impeaches a President

• The judicial branch
     - Approves federal judges
     - Impeaches federal judges

Executive powers over

• The legislative branch
     - Vetoes acts of Congress
     - Calls Congress into special session

• The judicial branch
     - Appoints federal judges

Judicial powers over

• The legislative branch
- Declares laws unconstitutional

• The executive branch
- Declares executive acts unconstitutional

STANDARD CE.6d
Amending the Constitution

The student will demonstrate knowledge of the American constitutional government by:

d) identifying the procedures for amending the Constitution of the United States of America.

How can the Constitution of the United States of America be amended?

The Constitution of the United States of America defines the process by which formal changes are made to the document.

Process for amending the Constitution of the United States of America

• Action by Congress or convention
• Ratification by the states

The amendment process is complex; to date, only 27 amendments have been added.